After Jordan, Emirates also furious with Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not only managed to get into a diplomatic row with Jordan, he also succeeded in angering the Emiratis. Israel
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
Lawsuit filed to close pro-Kurdish party after lawmaker stripped of parliamentary seat Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party deputy known to focus on human rights abuses, was stripped of his parliament seat and a lawsuit was filed to close the party March 17. Turkey
Netanyahu courts Arab voters as 'Abu Yair' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted a new strategy for the Arab public: cynically rebranding himself as "Abu Yair." Israel
New batch of PA employees in Gaza forced to retire The Palestinian Authority referred more than 6,000 civil employees to early retirement, allegedly to exert pressure on Hamas to dissolve the administrative committee, hand over the Gaza Strip and approve elections. Palestine
Turkey's divisions on display on 'Day of National Unity' Turkey's "Day of Democracy and National Unity" marking the defeat of last year's July 15 coup attempt turns into a celebration of the president and his Justice and Development Party. Turkey
Abu Mazen plays losing hand badly in Gaza Strip The Palestinian president faces a challenge from a bitter rival backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates; what is Saddam Hussein’s family doing in Qatar?; Russia and the United States wary of Turkish military intervention in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Envoy to US says Turkey was ready to provide ‘tens of thousands of troops’ for Raqqa offensive Ambassador Serdar Kilic tells Al-Monitor that Turkey was willing to offer broad military support to the US-led operation to liberate the Islamic State's Syrian stronghold. Syria
Israel frets over Congress push to slash Palestinian aid over terror payments US lawmakers' efforts to further condition assistance to the Palestinian Authority is complicated by Israel's reluctance to undermine a key security partner. Palestine
Incessant scandals threaten US-Russia progress on Syria Moscow and Washington will need to safeguard any progress in their relations against fresh controversies and those opposed to cooperation. Syria
Arrest of rights activists 'chills' Turkey’s civil society Turkish civil society grapples with the arrests of human rights activists and academics as the government marks the anniversary of the failed military coup. Turkey
Understanding Iranian threat perceptions Rather than perpetuating mantras about Iranian expansionism, the United States and its regional allies should take a closer look at the origins of Iranian threat perceptions. Iran
'Justice March' spawns unique coalition in Turkey The “Justice March” of Turkey’s main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu spawned a unique togetherness between disparate groups, but will this spontaneous coalition last? Turkey
As war on IS continues, Iraqi Kurdish journalists face suppression Kurdish activists complain of suppression and limitation of independent journalistic freedom in the Kurdistan Region. Iraq
Netanyahu’s house of cards not collapsing, for now So far, despite the many scandals, Likud voters are sticking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but for how long? Israel
Shiite Kurds challenge Iraqi Kurdistan independence In addition to international bodies, regional powers and Baghdad, the Shiite Kurdish group known as Feylis is also fundamentally opposed to Kurdistan’s secession from Iraq. Iraq
